What is Kratom?

Kratom is the street name for a drug that is currently illegal in only a handful of states. It is derived from the leaves of a tree in Southeast Asia and its scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa. This tree grows naturally in Thailand and its use there has been outlawed for 70 years. It is available over the Internet and is sold in stores (commonly gas stations and truck stops) as herbal tea or herbal extracts. There are also bars that serve it as herbal tea in Colorado. It is available as leaves, powdered extract, pills and capsules.
Twenty-five alkaloids are found in this plant, but mitragynine is thought to be the active alkaloid that produces most of the effects. At low doses Kratom exhibits a stimulant effect, but at higher doses it has a sedative effect like opiates. Acute side effects include: nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, decreased urination, loss of appetite, and seizures. Some individuals with acute intoxication will exhibit strange and agitated behavior. They can be temporarily psychotic and agitated, and make poor decisions that may result in harm to themselves or others. Chronic use causes anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, darkening of the skin, constipation and sometimes bowel obstruction.

Kratom is addictive in a similar manner as opiates, and has a withdrawal syndrome that consists of hostile and aggressive behavior, emotional liability, and uncontrollable jerking of the limbs. Research into the pharmacological effects is sparse and the exact effects on the human body are poorly understood. Like synthetic marijuana products, Kratom does not show up on standard drug tests.

We can now add Kratom to the growing list of substances that are available to the public that can cause serious intoxication, and addiction. Parents should talk to their teenagers about the dangers of newer drugs called Spice, bath salts, flakka, and Kratom in addition to talking to them about the dangers of prescription drugs and more mainstream illicit drugs.

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